Some parents make their children watch cartoons because they want to take a breather or simply because children love watching cartoons.
There has been mixed reactions from experts, whether it’s harmful or just entertainment for kids to watch cartoons. There are behavioral changes, use of language and influence you have to consider as these can affect your kids.
According to a Scientific research study on cartoons, “cartoons are one of the daily habits for our children, it has been proven that an average child with a facility of a Tv and a satellite connection at their home watches approximately 18,000 hours of television from kindergarten to high school.” The Scientific research study on cartoons says that the side effects include a change in children’s mental response and behavior.
The study continues saying, there are 3 factors in child brain development world wide:
- There are strong relations between the genes and the brain development, however, the surrounding experience is what sculpts how the brain works.
- Thinking and imagination are the most factors that affect the functionality of the brain till the age of 12.
- Early mind setting is the secret, once this is done you are able to predict your child’s future patterns.
However, first cry parenting reports, there are positives and negative implications that can affect your child from watching cartoons.
The positive effects
- Depending on which cartoons they watch, your child can start learning. For example there are cartoons that teach counting, shapes and colours.
- Your child can develop logic and reasoning ability.
- They can start language development by mimicking their favorite cartoons, understand words and improve their pronunciation.
- Cartoons also help them with creativity and imagination.
The negative impacts
- There are violent cartoons that bring out the hyperactiveness of a child. For example, if Spiderman jumps from building to building to save people, they will also start jumping from high places.
- They can learn to be unruly and disobedient towards school teachers or parents.
- The use of language on some cartoons can be foul and kids can start using it too.
- Obsessive nature of watching cartoons all the time and not partaking in physical activities.
You can always monitor which cartoons your children can watch and expose them to different ones that they can learn from. Limit the number of hours they can watch cartoons whilst they are still young and encourage social activities.
Also see: What age is it safe to give your kids access to the internet
